Data from: Land-use effects on melliferous woody flora in Sudanian agroforestry parkland and protected area of West Africa

Land-use intensification alters vegetation structure and composition, with
potential consequences for pollinator-dependent ecosystems in tropical
regions. However, the distribution and availability of melliferous woody
flora across contrasting land use types in West Africa remain poorly
studied. This study evaluated melliferous floristic composition and woody
stand structure across the Sudanian agroforestry parkland (farmland and
fallow land) and protected area in southwestern Burkina Faso. Ninety
vegetation plots were surveyed, and flowering dynamics were monitored
monthly over one year. A total of 48 melliferous woody species belonging
to 16 families were recorded, dominated by Fabaceae, Combretaceae, and
Sapotaceae. Species composition differed significantly among land use
types. Fallow land and protected area supported the highest melliferous
species richness, whereas farmland exhibited reduced richness and density
but larger individual trees. Vitellaria paradoxa dominated all land use
types. Indicator species analysis identified 19 significant melliferous
species. Among these, Combretum glutinosum, Terminalia avicennioides, and
Terminalia leiocarpa were the principal indicator species associated with
both fallow land and protected area, whereas no species was identified as
specific to farmland. Protected areas maintained the highest melliferous
tree densities and greater species evenness. Temporal patterns of
flowering varied among land use types. The protected area ensured extended
forage availability for a minimum of three months, with Mitragyna inermis
notably flowering for up to five months. These results support integrated
landscape management combining conservation of melliferous habitats with
targeted enrichment of woody species to sustain pollination services and
beekeeping productivity in West Africa.